Fans hoping to tune into the much-hyped mock debate between cable TV pundits Jon Stewart and Bill O’Reilly on Saturday were left frustrated as the Internet livestream crashed.

Jokes — and sparks — flew as the Comedy Central figure and the Fox News host met at The George Washington University in Washington for an event called “The Rumble in the Air-Conditioned Auditorium,” with livestreaming available for $4.95.

But technical trouble arose at the get-go, resulting in thousands being locked out from watching live. Disgruntled would-be viewers spoke out online, many using the Twitter hashtag #therumble2012.

After the mock debate, O’Reilly told reporters that people can still purchase the event and watch it whenever.

The event’s Facebook page posted a statement apologizing for the glitch.

“Due to overwhelming demand, our servers have been overloaded,” the statement said. “We apologize for any inconvenience and we’re working to resolve the issue. If you missed any of the debate, it will be available on-demand shortly after.”

“I promote Stewart vs. O’Reilly on ROKU on FB and Twitter and can’t log in myself. Bad image for ROKU,” tweeted the film critic Roger Ebert, referring to the service that was to livestream the event, according to the event’s website.

Though thousands were locked out of live viewing, one person could’ve gotten into the event for free: Sandra Fluke.

“I left two tickets for Sandra plus a month’s supply of birth control at will call. Is she here tonight? No. Sandra, buy your own. We shouldn’t be paying for this and a lot of other stuff,” O’Reilly joked during the debate, referring to the recent Georgetown University Law School graduate whom Rush Limbaugh called a “slut” after she advocated for government-funded birth control.

The topical jokes continued apace. When O’Reilly said the U.S. shouldn’t have gone into Iraq, Stewart put one leg up on the podium and shouted, “Somebody live Tweet that, motherf—er!”

“And what would you like for Christmas, little boy?” O’Reilly asked before adding, “Get off me.”

It wasn’t the only time Christmas was brought up. While O’Reilly claimed victory for “The War on Christmas,” Stewart said the war never existed in the first place.

“I’m a Jew,” Stewart said. “If you think Christmas isn’t celebrated in this country, walk a mile in Hanukkah’s shoes.”

He added: “The headquarters of Fox News is in Rockefeller Center. If you walk outside of Fox News, it looks like Santa Claus exploded. This whole idea is insanity.”

O’Reilly said Americans are acting too entitled and that the government has too much wasteful spending. Stewart didn’t disagree.

“We are an entitlement nation,” Stewart said. “Have you ever seen Oprah’s favorite things episode? We are a people that wants free things.”

How did Hill think the night went?

“It’s much like working with teenage boys,” she quipped after the debate. “What they showed was you can have complete opposite opinions and have an honest debate. We need more of that in this country.”